Natural Product Sciences  2016;22(3):168-174

doi:10.20307/nps.2016.22.3.168

Modulation of Melanin Synthesis by Amaranthus spp. L Seed Extract in Melan-a Cells.

Jae Ok SEO 1 ; Moon Ho DO ; Jae Hak LEE ; Taek Hwan LEE ; Hussain Mustatab WAHEDI ; Yong Un PARK ; Sun Yeou KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Amaranth; Myo-inositol; Melan-a cells; Melanogenesis

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Anti-melanogenic effects of amaranth (AT), one of the key source of squalene, were investigated in melanocytes. Amaranth seed powder was extracted with water and melan-a cells were treated with various concentrations of AT. By using HPLC, content of myo-inositol, one of potential active components, was measured in the crude extract of AT.AT reduced the melanin content in melan-a melanocytes and down-regulated melanogenic enzyme activity such as tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2. By regulating melanogenic enzyme activity, AT may be a potential natural source for whitening agent. Myo-inositol was detected in AT by HPLC and may be one of the active compounds from AT involved in the regulation of anti-melanogenesis. In this study, we demonstrated that AT has anti-melanogenesis properties. This new function of amaranth may be useful in the development of new skin-whitening products and its value as food.